By Kunle Solaja

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the list of nominees for the 2025 CAF Awards (Men’s Categories), celebrating the continent’s best players, coaches, clubs, and national teams — but Nigeria’s presence on the list is notably sparse.

Despite its vast football heritage and player base across Europe and Africa, Nigeria managed only three nominations across all categories — a sharp contrast to the dominance of Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa, who led the shortlist in nearly every section.

Leading Nigeria’s limited charge is Victor Osimhen, who was nominated for African Player of the Year after a strong campaign with Turkish champions Galatasaray. He is listed alongside Africa’s elite, including Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Cameroon’s Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi.

Stanley Nwabali, Nigeria’s standout performer at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, earned a deserved spot among the ten nominees for Goalkeeper of the Year, following a series of impressive international and club performances for Chippa United in South Africa.

The only other Nigerian name on the list is Daniel Bameyi, who was recognized among the Young Player of the Year contenders. The 18-year-old defender, now plying his trade with NK Primorje in Slovenia, continues to gain attention for his leadership and maturity at youth international level.

Conspicuously absent, however, is the Super Eagles national team, which did not make the cut for National Team of the Year, despite finishing as runners-up at the 2023 AFCON earlier in the year.

Morocco and Egypt dominate this year’s nominations, with Moroccan football — powered by clubs RS Berkane, AS FAR, and a successful national setup — appearing in nearly every category, from senior to youth levels. Egypt’s Pyramids FC and Al Ahly also feature prominently.

In total, Morocco secured more than 10 nominations, including for Player, Coach, Club, and National Team of the Year, while Nigeria’s three spots mark one of its weakest showings in recent CAF Awards history.

CAF explained that the nominations were determined by a panel of experts comprising members of its Technical and Development Committee, former legends, coaches, and media representatives, based on performances between 6 January and 15 October 2025.

The winners will be announced at the CAF Awards 2025 Gala, scheduled to take place later this year at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue.

For now, Nigerian fans will be hoping Osimhen, Nwabali, or Bameyi can deliver some redemption for the country’s limited representation at Africa’s biggest football awards night.

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Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football was reaffirmed on Friday as several Super Falcons and Flamingos stars made the shortlist for the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.

Leading the charge are Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo, both nominated for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award. The duo played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s triumphant campaign at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where the Super Falcons clinched their 10th continental title.

Ajibade, who was voted Player of the Tournament and Woman of the Match in three of Nigeria’s six matches, is among the frontrunners for the top honour. Her teammate Okoronkwo also impressed, scoring two goals and providing four assists, including a goal and an assist in the final, where she was named Woman of the Match.

They face stiff competition from Zambia’s Barbara Banda and Racheal Kundananji, Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga, Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Ghizlane Chebbak, Ghana’s Portia Boakye, and Senegal’s Mame Diop.

In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, winner of the last two editions, will look to retain her crown after another stellar year between the posts.

Nigeria’s strong showing continues with both the Super Falcons and U-17 Flamingos shortlisted for Women’s National Team of the Year, while Moshood Shakirat of the Flamingos is among the nominees for Best Young Player of the Year.

On the touchline, Justin Madugu (Super Falcons) and Bankole Olowookere (Flamingos) are both nominated for Women’s Coach of the Year, further highlighting Nigeria’s influence in African women’s football.

The 2025 CAF Awards Gala will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, with the date yet to be officially announced.

Nigeria remains one of the standout nations in this year’s nominations, reflecting the country’s sustained excellence and depth in women’s football across all levels.

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BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU.

The National Chairman of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) Samuel Ikpea has described the newly crowned African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman as a living legend.

Ikpea who lauded the Atalanta and Super Eagles forward following his emergence as the CAF African footballer of the year in Morocco on Monday night said only a legend could accomplish such a feat.

Amuneke took over from Yekini who won it in 1993 while Ikpeba took over from Kanu who won it in 1996.

 Ikpea remarked that such back-to-back victories by Nigeria are remarkable.

“This is the third time this feat has been accomplished and it is good for the image of Nigeria.

 “If our players continue like this it will further boost the morale of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club and we shall continue to be proud of our teams” Ikpea posited.

Ikpea who had earlier congratulated Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie for retaining her title and four other Super Falcons players for making the CAF XI also charged the trio of NFF President, the NSC Chairman and his DG to see this accomplishment as an opportunity to bring their wisdom and technical expertise into play and develop Nigeria football.

“I will describe the combination of Gusau, Dikko and Olopade as that of the Three Wise Men, they should therefore put heads together and move our football forward because our players are now making waves on the continent” he concluded.

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